Herpes virus — сrouching enemy, that remains with us forever

Diseases which are based on destructive activities herpes virus are known since ancient times. Herodotus in 100th BC described a cold with fever and rash on the mucous membrane in the form of painful blisters, itching and burning. In our time, the extent of the disease taking frightening dimensions. According to WHO, 90% of the world’s population are suffer of the herpes virus (source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpesviridae)

In total there are 8 varieties of these DNA viruses, such as:

Herpes simplex virus 1, or HSV-1

HSV-2

HSV-3, or Varicella (causes chickenpox/shingles)

HSV-4, so-called Epstein-Barr virus

HSV-5, so-called Cytomegalovirus

HSV-6

HSV-7

HSV-8

Herpes simplex virus, abbreviated HSV, causes disease of the same name. It is 2 types, depending on the localization of lesions. If clusters of small painful blisters appear on mucous membranes or around the lips, nose or face – is most likely a manifestation of oral HSV-1 virus. Variety HSV-2 causes blisters in the genital areas. In any case, it can greatly complicate the life as painful, unpleasant, contagious, and, as the doctors say, is quite dangerous.

Causes

Methods of infection by herpes virus HSV-1:

airborne droplets by unprotected contact with a sick person

household by general utensils and other subjects

through sports (contact with virus carrier during the competition, such as wrestling)

infection of child from contact with sick mother, sometimes even in utero

Symptomatology

Symptoms of the disease may be implicit, if not the characteristic blisters. There may be mucosal injury on the genitals or in the mouth, painful urination, itching. Other features are similar to influenza: headache, fever, increased lymph nodes, reduction in tone and lack of appetite.

Diagnostics

To establish the diagnosis it is necessary to consult a qualified expert who will examine and will take a swab from rashes or wounds for laboratory examination.

It is also possible to make a blood test for antibodies to HSV.

Medicines that kill the virus, does not exist. If you have at least once been manifestations of herpes, it will be a lifetime. “Crouching, creeping ” – so translation its name from latin. It can be dormant and not bring you trouble and can produce flash. During exacerbations doctor prescribes drugs to alleviate the condition and reduce the sores:

acyclovir

famciclovir

valacyclovir

WHO and research centers are working on the creation of HSV vaccines and microbicides, with the aim of winning over these strange infection in the future. Several vaccines are already undergoing testing stage (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/herpes/en/). Vaccine against the Varicella virus has already been obtained. In the United States after vaccination the number of diseases reduced by 70%.

Prevention

If you try to reduce the aggravation of disease – don’t contact with others, do not use common objects, do not infect others. In the use of a condom during sexual intercourse is a must.